Audray Harris

The Structural Informatics Unit (SIU) seeks to elucidate the molecular architecture of viral proteins and the roles that factors, such as pH environment and protein modification and variation, play in modulating structure-function, epitope display, and viral pathogenesis. The research program exploits 3D electron microscopy of viruses and protein complexes with antibodies to obtain structural information. Structural analyses are supported by other structural, biochemical, and immunological analyses in order to understand antigen-antibody interactions and aid in structure-assisted immunogen design for infectious diseases. Our research program integrates structural and biochemical studies with bioinformatics to facilitate a collaborative synergy between these disciplines in the context of the focus of structure-function studies of viruses and viral proteins. A major focus is on the antigenicity, structure, and function of respiratory viruses, such as influenza.